Throughout the 2014 season umterps.com will put one of the Maryland men’s lacrosse senior in the “Senior Spotlight”. Up next is Edgewater, Md., native Thomas Guarino.

Question: When your playing career at Maryland is over, what is the one thing you’re going to miss?Thomas Guarino: Just bring with the guys. I know it sounds cliché, but the whole camaraderie of this team is something totally different than other team I’ve been on. Being part of a team in college is a completely different level since you’re with each other all of the time. That’s definitely what I’m going to miss the most.

I came onto my high school team similarly to how I came onto this team – later on in the year, so I was used to it, but on this team I was instantly taken in and accepted. It was awesome.

Just to be on this team is such an honor and it’s humbling to think I’m a part of Maryland lacrosse. I grew up looking up to Maryland lacrosse players and to think I’m a part of that now and forever is remarkable to me.

Q: How has being a Maryland student-athlete changed you since you arrived on campus?TG: It’s given me enlightenment on life. I know the real world isn’t like this. Being an engineering major and a student-athlete hasn’t been easy, but it has made me be a lot more disciplined with my time and managing things so there’s a balance.

I’m involved in two demanding things here in engineering and lacrosse and one would usually be enough here, so doing both has been challenging to say the least. But, I wouldn’t change a thing.

Q: Which of your current or former teammates has had the biggest impact on you on or off the field?TG: He was never a teammate, but I have to say it was Coach [Brian] Phipps. He took me under his wing when I first came in here. He made it so accepting to be a part of this team and I love him for that.

Q: What is the one thing you look forward to at the postgame tailgate?TG: Most of the guys will say the food, because it’s really good, but for me it’s seeing my family there. Most of my family comes out and supports me every week and I love seeing them there. If I have to pick a food it’s definitely the chicken parmesan. I don’t know who makes it and brings it, but it’s dynamite.

Q: What was your most favorite childhood possession?TG: My grandfather’s shotgun. He gave it to me when I turned nine years old and I love it and cherish it.

Q: What’s your favorite movie to watch on the bus on a road trip?TG: Probably Dumb and Dumbrer. That’s one of the best ones with Step Brothers being a close second.

Q: What’s something your teammates would be surprised to know about you?TG: I’m deathly scared of the dark, which is kind of embarrassing.

Q: What’s the best thing about being a Terp?TG: Just being part of this team and being around the guys is the best thing. Here it’s all about being part of the team and having that “Terp for Life” mentality. We’re all about being hard-nosed and looking out for your brothers and knowing they’re also looking out for you is the best part about being a Terp.

Q: What’s the best class you’ve taken at Maryland?TG: It’s certainly not the easiest class, but Fluid Dynamics was my favorite class. It was pretty hard, but I enjoyed it. We learned about how air or fluids go over a surface and the equations and derivatives about that airflow.